Latest news with #VIPs
Tom's Guide
a day ago
- Tom's Guide
I can't believe Google is making such a big deal out of Pixel VIPs — it's the most disappointing new feature in years
Pixel VIPs is a new feature that's part of Android 16, and if you paid attention to Google's marketing and release notes,you'll know that it's being treated like a flagship addition — something that's to be desired, and that'll make owning a Pixel phone worthwhile. Now that Android 16 is here, I can tell you that this absolutely isn't the case. In fact, Pixel VIPs seems pretty darn pointless in the grand scheme of things. Of all the new features that have landed in Android 16, I don't know why Google is making such a big deal out of something that doesn't really offer anything of value. Pixel VIPs is a new feature in the Contacts app on Android 16. As the name suggests, it's exclusive to Pixel phones. You can preselect up to 8 VIPs, each of whom have their own special pages. Those pages have icons for the phone app, Google Messages, Google Meet, the Contacts app and (if you give Pixel VIPs permission) other third party apps like VIP pages also features a location option for "local updates," details on when you last spoke to each VIP, and notes and suggestions on "things to do together." It'll also remind you about their birthday, assuming you've told the app when it is. The Pixel VIPs can be accessed through Contacts, or with a special new Pixel VIPs widget — which is also technically part of the Contacts app. Really, it's kind of like the MySpace top friends list from back in the pre-Facebook era. Any readers born after 1995 should go and ask their parents or older siblings what I'm talking about. I can see what Google is trying to do here. It's a way of resurrecting that idea of having your favorite or most important people in a list and adding some practical value to it. But every time I look at, or tinker with the Pixel VIPs feature, all I can think of is "Why?" Do I need Google to suggest things I can watch with my girlfriend? Even after disclosing the kind of things she likes, those recommendations aren't particularly good. I also don't need another app to remind me when her birthday is — that's already in Google Calendar with all the other birthdays that don't belong to VIPs. She also has an iPhone, so conversing on Google Meet is never going to happen I also don't need to know what the weather is like wherever my VIPs are. I'm English. Discussing the weather is half of what we all talk about, and without it, there would be little reason to speak to anyone. I could maybe see some use in adding specific group chats to a list like this, but the fact Pixel VIPs is tied to the Contacts app means that isn't possible. The only real benefit is that these contacts are supposed to be able to bypass the Do Not Disturb setting on your phone — though as far as I can tell, there's no way to toggle this particular feature on or off for individual contacts. So if you actually want to get the benefits of Pixel VIPs for certain people, you apparently need to be willing to give them unfiltered access to your phone as well. Having a feature that lets key people contact you regardless of whether Do Not Disturb is on or not could be useful. But it feels like something that should be its own feature. Frankly, it would have been better if Google had quietly added this feature in the background, and let more important apps and updates take the center stage. Because Pixel VIPs just doesn't have headliner potential. Unfortunately, as it stands, Android 16 doesn't actually have a whole lot going for it. Maybe it's the fact the software was released so early, but it seems like all the actual upgrades are few and far between. Take the Material Expressive 3 redesign, as one example. Google announced this at I/O 2025, but confirmed that it wouldn't be arriving until much later in the year. When that might be is anyone's guess. The same is true for the Desktop windowing feature, which is set to hit "large screen devices" toward the end of the year. Similarly Live Updates, which seem to be Google's closest thing to Apple's Live Activities in the Dynamic Island doesn't seem to have a home on my Pixel 9 Pro. There's no settings menu for the feature, and I can't seem to find evidence that it's actually been added to my phone. But, assuming it has, Google said that it would be restricted to ride share and food delivery notifications at first. And that's not a particularly large number of use-cases, so it feels rather disappointing even if I know these features can't include all apps right away. So when you think about it, Google didn't have much chance not to try and hype up Pixel VIPs. Because it's not like anything more exciting was available.
Bloomberg
12-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
After Rocky May Auctions, the Rich Roll the Dice at Art Basel
When the Swiss edition of Art Basel opens to VIPs on June 17 (public days are the 19th through the 22nd), Pace gallery's booth will feature a 6-foot-tall Picasso priced 'in excess of' $30 million. Oftentimes, with a work this expensive (and even far less expensive), galleries do their utmost to secure a buyer well before the fair opens, soliciting offers in a phenomenon known as preselling. The fair opens, the collector shows up, and the work is officially sold then.
Phone Arena
10-06-2025
- Phone Arena
June Pixel Drop lands with Pixel VIPs, AI photo magic, and Gboard glow-up
The June Pixel Drop is now here for Pixels and brings quite a lot of new features and updates, including Pixel VIPs, custom stickers in Gboard, and advanced accessibility features. Also, Android 16 is now starting to roll out as well. Here's what the June Pixel Drop is bringing to your Pixel!There's a new Pixel VIPs widget from the Contacts app, tailored to help you give priority to the most important people in your life, like friends and family. The more details you add about your favorite people (like birthdays, emails, home addresses, and preferences), the fuller the Pixel VIPs experience will be. You can view your last call and message (including WhatsApp ones) with each VIP, see their location when shared, and even get reminders for important events like their birthday. You can add more info about the most important people in your life. | Image credit – Google On top of that, VIPs can also bypass Do Not Disturb, so you never miss a message from a special someone in your life. The feature is available on Pixel 6 and newer, and supports Google Messages and WhatsApp services. Another fun feature coming with the June Pixel Drop is the ability to create a sticker of nearly anything you can imagine. Using Pixel Studio and generative AI, you can get any sticker you want right away. As usual with AI, you'll have to type your prompt, choose an emotion, and then you can send it, without having to switch apps. What's even better is you can make stickers from photos as well: the background of the image will be automatically removed and the object becomes your sticker. The feature is available for Pixel 9 phones in select countries and currently supports English, Japanese, and German only. Google is also making some cool Pixel features available to more users. One of them is Satellite SOS, which is now available in Australia. Satellite SOS allows you to connect with emergency services in areas where there's no cellular connectivity or Wi-Fi availability. Satellite SOS is supported on phones from the Pixel 9 series. The service is currently available in the U.S., Canada, the UK, Europe, and now Australia. Meanwhile, the Recorder app gains the ability to offer you AI-generated summaries of recordings in French and German. Right now, the Pixel 9 series can get summaries in English, Japanese, German, and French, while for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9a, the feature is available in English only. AI summaries are now available in more languages. | Image credit – Google Meanwhile, Pixel 8 phones are getting Clear voice in the Recorder app. The feature removes background noises from recordings for better audio quality so you can hear everything crystal-clear. Photography enthusiasts also have what to be excited about with the June Pixel Drop. There's a new education hub that will help you take advantage of all the features in Pixel Camera. You can now tap the question mark icon in the upper right-hand corner of Pixel's Camera and then see visual inspiration for each mode. Also, the app will now offer you how-to instructions to achieve the best effect. With this update, you can now use live search in the Magnifier app (Pixel 5 and newer, without the foldables) which will help you learn more about your surroundings, without the need to take a photo. Basically, you can type what you're looking for (item on a menu, for example) and Magnifier will highlight matches on the screen in real-time. Also, when your Pixel finds something, it will give you a little haptic feedback. More accessibility features coming to your Android phone . | Image credit – Google Also, you can use new LE audio features with hearing aids on Pixel 9 and newer, running Android 16 . With these features, it will be easy for you to take calls on the go and access your hearing aid presets. Also, you can change your ambient volume from the settings of your Pixel phone. You can now quickly show how you feel about the moments that matter to you most. | Image credit – Google Expressive Captions is a feature that is designed to understand intensity, nuance, and emotion in speech and transfer it with words. It's now available in more countries beyond the U.S., including Canada, the UK, and Australia. Expressive Captions is available on Pixel 6 and newer Pixel phones, as well as other compatible Android phones (Android 15 or newer). Soon you'll be able to use AI-powered editing in Google Photos. You'll be able to get AI-powered suggestions to enhance your images and access recommended tools based on what you select to edit. You will also be getting easier access to your favorite editing tools.
Telegraph
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Cannes power cut threatens closing ceremony
The Cannes Film Festival has been hit by a major power cut just hours before its star-studded closing ceremony. Towns along the French Riviera were affected by a blackout on Saturday as VIPs flocked to the region. Local media reports suggested that 'malicious acts' may be behind the cut, which caused chaos along a glamorous stretch of coast favoured by Hollywood actors and the mega-rich. Mobile networks, 4G, traffic systems and train lines were all affected, making travel and communication difficult. The headquarters of the festival switched to a backup power supply that organisers hoped would allow the closing ceremony to take place. An official statement from the Cannes Film Festival said: 'A power outage is currently affecting the city of Cannes and surrounding areas. At this stage, the cause of the outage has not yet been identified. Restoration efforts are underway. 'The Palais des Festivals has switched to an independent power supply, allowing all scheduled events and screenings, including the closing ceremony, to proceed as planned and under normal conditions.' The first signs of power trouble were seen ahead of a press conference with The Crown star John O'Connor, when a loud bang was heard in the festival building, before it was plunged into temporary darkness. Power was briefly restored, but shortly after midday the electricity failed and locals struggled to use their mobile phones. Guests of the festival were later seen paying for drinks and ice cream in cash as expensive local restaurants lost the use of card machines. France Info, a radio network, has relayed unconfirmed reports that two 'malicious acts' took place along train lines in the Var region, to the west of Cannes, before the blackout. Cannes bosses hope the reserve power at the Palais des Festivals will be sufficient for final screenings of films enjoying their premiere, and for the closing ceremony.
The Sun
19-05-2025
- The Sun
Google offers secret VIP ‘protection mode' on millions of mobiles for free – it's meant for celebs to avoid being hacked
Sean Keach, Head of Technology and Science Published: Invalid Date, MILLIONS of phone owners can take advantage of a special "protection" mode used by VIPs to avoid being hacked. It's called Advanced Protection and anyone can use it for free – though it's built for celebs, politicians, and other important figures. Protection features were first launched in 2017, but the system has been upgraded in the new Android 16 update. It has special tricks like preventing your phone from being hacked by a physical cable, and using AI to detect scam call and text conversations live as they're happening. The feature activates a long list of hardcore security measures designed to boost your security and dodge scams. "Android 16 enhances and expands the Advanced Protection features that Google first launched in 2017," said Google's Stella Loh. "Making it simple to turn on an array of robust device security features." Stella, who works on the Android team, added: "Whether you're a public figure or just want the best of Android's powerful security features, you can turn on Advanced Protection for peace of mind that you're protected against the most sophisticated threats." WHAT IS GOOGLE'S ADVANCED PROTECTION PROGRAM? Google is the company behind the Android software that powers billions of phones around the world. And there's a special feature called the Advanced Protection. Google says that this serves up its "strongest protections against targeted attacks". "Advanced Protection ensures all of Android's highest security features are enabled and are seamlessly working together to safeguard you against online attacks, harmful apps, and data risks," Google explained. Deepfakes more 'sophisticated' and dangerous than ever as AI expert warns of six upgrades that let them trick your eyes To get all the latest protections, you'll need Android 16. That's currently out in beta version, which you can try for free today. Or you can wait for a full release, which may take several months to turn up on your mobile. Once you've got the latest Android update, go into Settings. 4 HOW TO UPDATE YOUR ANDROID PHONE Get the latest upgrades... Updating your Android phone is extremely important. For a start, it means you'll get fancy new features to make your phone better. But updates often include fixes that can repair security problems – or help you to stay safe from crooks. You can check what software version you have by going into Settings > About Phone > Android Version. And if you want to update, you can just go to Settings > System > Software Update. Note that your Android phone will probably have worse battery life in the days following an update – but it should get better. Picture Credit: Google Then go to Settings > Google > Personal & Device Safety > Advanced Protection > Device Protection. From there, you'll be able to see a list of all of the features that are activated once you toggle the setting on. For instance, there's a Theft Detection Lock that means your phone automatically locks itself if it detects "suspicious activity indicative of theft". Your phone will also lock itself if it goes offline for a prolonged period. ADVANCED PROTECTION – GOOGLE'S WORD ON IT Here's what Google says Advanced Protection serves up... Best-in-class protection, minimal disruption: Advanced Protection gives users the option to equip their devices with Android's most effective security features for proactive defense, with a user-friendly and low-friction experience. Easy activation: Advanced Protection makes security easy and accessible. You don't need to be a security expert to benefit from enhanced security. Defense-in-depth: Once a user turns on Advanced Protection, the system prevents accidental or malicious disablement of the individual security features under the Advanced Protection umbrella. This reflects a "defense-in-depth" strategy, where multiple security layers work together. Seamless security integration with apps: Advanced Protection acts as a single control point that enables important security settings across many of your favorite Google apps, including Chrome, Google Message, and Phone by Google. Advanced Protection will also incorporate third-party applications that choose to integrate in the future. Picture Credit: Google There's a USB Protection that prevents "physical attacks" using your phone's charging port. Safe Browsing modes block dangerous websites for you. And there are special AI-powered scam detection tools for both phone calls and text messages that flag up if you're being swindled in real-time. The feature also blocks you from connecting to outdated 2G phone networks, and won't automatically reconnect to Wi-Fi networks "known to be insecure" either. GOOGLE'S 'GOLDEN RULES' FOR AVOIDING SCAMS Here are the official Google "golden rules #1 – Slow it down Scams are often designed to create a sense of urgency. Take time to ask questions and think it through. #2 – Spot check Do your research to double check the details you are getting. Does what they're telling you make sense? #3 – Stop! Don't send No reputable person or agency will ever demand payment or your personal information on the spot. Some of the features won't arrive until "later this year", according to Google.
